Key Takeaways:
- Austria is reconsidering its stance on Romania and Bulgaria’s full Schengen land border integration by spring 2025.
- Economic impact on these countries and pressure from the EU have influenced Austria’s shift.
- Austria’s Interior Minister will meet with Romanian and Bulgarian officials in Budapest in November 2023.
Austria, a country that has long resisted Romania and Bulgaria’s inclusion in the Schengen Zone, seems ready to reconsider its position. According to Austrian media, Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner has expressed his willingness to discuss the full integration of Romania and Bulgaria into Schengen land borders at an upcoming meeting with officials from these countries. The meeting, organized by Hungary, which currently holds the EU Council Presidency, is set to take place on November 22 in Budapest.
Austria’s stance has faced sharp criticism, especially from the European People’s Party and the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), which highlighted the negative impact on businesses, jobs, and the investment climate in both Bulgaria and Romania. Although air and sea borders of these countries are already part of Schengen, land borders remain under control, despite both countries meeting all criteria for full integration since 2011.
Under the combined pressure of internal and external actors, Karner indicated that Austria might support the accession of these countries if appropriate measures are taken to tackle illegal migration, which has been Austria’s primary concern. European leaders argue that the delay has already caused significant economic losses, while Schengen integration could spark new growth in both countries.
If negotiations succeed, Romania and Bulgaria may finally complete their long-awaited path into the Schengen Zone by spring 2025.
